Zafra phaula is a species of sea snail in the family Columbellidae, the dove snails.[1]

Zafra phaula
Shell of Zafra phaula (holotype)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Caenogastropoda
Order: Neogastropoda
Superfamily: Buccinoidea
Family: Columbellidae
Genus: Zafra
Species:
Z. phaula
Binomial name
Zafra phaula
(Melvill & Standen, 1901)
Synonyms

Columbella (Seminella) phaula Melvill & Standen, 1901 superseded combination

Description edit

The length of the shell attains 2 mm, its diameter 1 mm.

This minute, ovate-obese shell is semipellucid. The shell contains five whorls of which two in the protoconch. It is doubtless nearly allied to Zafra melitoma and others of this group. It is much the smallest of the Karachi species, and the ribs are thicker in proportion to the size of the shell. There is no trace of spiral liration, nor has the outer lip any denticles on the inner surface. The aperture is narrow. The columella is simple. The form is also more attenuate and exiguous. [2]

Distribution edit

This marine species occurs off Karachi at the Pakistan coast.

References edit

  • Perugia, I. (2021). Some new microshells from Oman (Masirah Is.). Xenophora Taxonomy. 32: 48–56.
  • Boyer, F., Pelorce, J. & Gori, S. (2022). Révision des Columbellidae de l'île de Masirah, Oman. Partie 1 : genres Smithena gen. nov., Anachis H. Adams & A. Adams, 1853, Zafra A. Adams, 1860 et Parvanachis Radwin, 1968. Novapex. 23(3): 87–110.